Scamfluencers

5,010
Society & Culture #32, All Genres #234

You never really know someone…especially online. In today’s world, the power of influence can be the quickest path to money and fame, and it often ends in ruin. These are the stories of the world’s most insidious Scamfluencers. And we are their prey. On Wondery’s new weekly series, join co-hosts Scaachi Koul and Sarah Hagi as they unpack epic stories of deception from the worlds of social media, fashion, finance, health, and wellness. These influencers claim to be everything from charismatic healers to trusted financial insiders to experts in dating. They cast spells over millions. Why do we believe them, and how does our culture allow them to thrive? From Black Swan Murder to a fake social media influencer to an audacious Hollywood Ponzi schemer, each season will take the listener along the twists and turns, the impact on victims, and what’s left when the facade falls away.

Need more Scamfluencers? With Wondery+, enjoy exclusive episodes, early access to new ones, and they’re always ad-free. Join Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Start your free trial by visiting wondery.com/links/scamfluencers/ now.

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Recent Reviews
  • Funnnney
    Restore old episodes
    This podcast is great but the listener shouldn’t have to pay $5.99 in order to hear old episodes.
  • Kaylie1987
    Disappointed
    New to this podcast and I started from the beginning and was working my way up to the most recent. I was half way done with an episode last night and today it is now only available to paid subscribers. It looks like many of the “part 2” episodes are unavailable. Pretty disappointed.
  • dplysenko
    Money Grab
    Putting follow on episodes only under “Wonder +” paid subscription means I’ll never listen to your show again. Plenty of other interesting podcasts.
  • tonkafoxy
    What happened
    Was really enjoying this podcast then overnight they went to a paywall to finish their stories. To bad it was great now it seems they can do one on themselves
  • tommthom
    Scaachi sighting
    I was listening to the new Italian job episode and saw a commercial for Hollywood Demons on my laptop. So I paused the podcast to watch the first episode and guess who I saw…. Scaachi!!! Lol #Scaaception
  • Presley's mama
    Love this show … but
    Please know the new Apr 7 episode is the same as the previous week. It has a new title but the content is the old story. So I didn’t get my Mon morning fix. Please post the correct episode!
  • SantaClausRetired
    Love the show but check the latest episode upload
    Fantastic show, look forward to it every week. Heads up though, looks like the early release for subscribers of the Lee Israel episode is just a duplicate upload of the episode the week prior on Giancarlo….looking forward to the actual new episode, hopefully this gets fixed soon :)
  • RL...EN
    Excellent!!
    Super interesting stories and no too many breaks for ads. The Frederic Bourdain episode was jaw dropping and chilling. WILD wild stuff!!!
  • Jason Hendrix
    Interesting
    Great story other than the host trying to make up excuses for her wrong doings. There’s always a right way to do things.
  • Moky in AZ
    I truly enjoy it
    Funny, entertaining and I always learn new stuff from 2 hosts who sound like me and my bestie chatting away!
  • goodstuffalways
    Which laws do Saachi and Sarah want to enforce
    I listened to the episode with Ms Barbosa from Brazil who broke the law in several different ways. These knucklehead females were praising Ms Barbosa for her intellect in being able to scam companies their customers and the US Government. Per these two women Ms Barbosa committed crimes that were victimless and were proud of her for taking advantage of the systems within our despicable “capitalist society”. These two are feminists and communists for sure.
  • Snatchy Lopez
    Hahaha
    This sht’s pretty good, hosts are funny, got me laughin a lot. Good stories too. Seems like the shows got haters though from the comments. Not sure why, I saw a person said racist. That’s goofy, this stuff ain’t even racist. It’s all just sht talkin, relax.
  • Robti
    Well-researched and presented with expertise!
    We discovered this podcast only a couple of weeks ago, and it has quickly become our second favorite, after Casefile. Keep up the great work, ladies! Susan & Robert
  • Amy6374
    Immature Narratives
    Way too much giggling Enough said
  • SmkellerR
    Smart women
    I love that these women are writers and so smart. It’s refreshing to listen to women who have a command of the English language, (I’m not talking about speaking) and are clearly intelligent, understand diversity and are friends who make each other laugh! Thanks ladies!
  • Jian191
    Hosts are overbearing
    Lots of put downs against men and just generalizing to an entire gender. Always praises the women in the story. Overbearing with how often this occurs and how out of place it can be. Otherwise the show is enjoyable
  • kshroo
    Glad I Didn’t Miss This
    Because you ladies are SO FABULOUS, I was going back through to make sure I didn’t miss any unplayed episodes and I am so glad that I didn’t miss this recap and dish on reviews. I have considered naming my daughter Scaachi because of this podcast. She, however, at 16, would prefer to keep her current one though 🙄🤣 and f white men coming from a white woman in the Deep South.
  • Moxiedot
    Hateful
    And racist
  • Cinnamon20_99
    Love this podcast!
    I love this podcast! And the fact that it pisses off small d**k men and racist white people makes it even better! Keep up the great work ladies ❤️
  • Jjjenjenifer
    Brilliant and fascinating
    Sarah and Scaachi are so smart and such great storytellers. I just found the show and am powering through every episode.
  • frquis
    Rough
    Hosts are brutal
  • daplm61
    Done
    Can’t enjoy the actual topic because of the hosts ignorant, judgmental, RACIST comments. They openly hate white people and men. They sound like pampered, babied brats. Will never listen again and will spread the word.
  • FJB Patriot
    Really disappointing
    They share unsubstantiated opinions about politicians and criticize white people and especially men. I guess it’s their podcast so they can say what they want but it’s just not tasteful. Would like to just hear about scams and not so many personal opinions. Oh well. 🤦🏾‍♀️ Update, I made the unfortunate mistake of getting this podcast. One more try. It’s gross, they shame people of wealth, constantly tear down white women and menand trash the country they profit from. Their hatred towards people who have established wealth and white people seems very clear.
  • slimkimmc
    Priscilla Barbosa
    You are dead *ss wrong on your assessment of the damage she caused. Her actions endangered the customers safety. All those riders literally got in a car with a complete stranger. Young riders, older adults like me and the like. She was no Robin Hood but a criminal. And what’s with you two complaining that there should be legitimate work options for people that have not earned that option. She thumbed her nose at the law.
  • Eric Dicap
    Mixed
    Love the stories, covered well - clear feminist bias - the female scammers are always given a pass!
  • Woohoo..U2?
    Check out Lee Chatfield
    I love the his show so much! You should check out former Michigan Speaker of State the House currently in the news and court.. Another naughty legislator who will no longer get by on his good looks. What do you mean I can’t charge strippers to my expense account? lol You guys are the best!!
  • majicomac
    The real scam is America????
    Wow, just wow!!! Bye-bye Scamfluencers. What a bunch of entitled hosts. I too had to seek residency in another country, but I did everything according to the law. It’s NOT OK to break the law, endanger people’s lives, and steal identities because you sneak into a country illegally. I have no idea what you were thinking when you did the conclusion of this podcast. It’s shameful.
  • notafananymore2021
    Lisping queen
    The lisping is INSANE.
  • 123ppmd
    And I am a woman
    These ladies always give the girl scammers a pass it is annoying
  • SeeReneeBe
    Love/hate relationship
    I love the scam topic and your banter is always so fun and quippy, but your super casual approach to the “Rideshare Robinhood” scares me. There is an element of mutual “trust and verify” that is necessary for rideshares to safely fill a need in society. Purposely dodging background checks is reckless. It is not a victimless crime if someone gets in the car of a repeat DUI offender or is sexually assaulted by their Uber driver. I hate the excuses for what could be a set up for a tragic outcome for an innocent person.
  • J Cardenas Kellogg
    Ummm
    Loved you guys until you called America the scam. SMH
  • Bzn8735
    It’s ok to scam if you’re an illegal immigrant!
    The latest episode was the last straw for me in this podcast which has gotten progressively more racist and sexist to the point that now they seem to be scam-sympathizers as long as the subjects arent white. The Priscilla Barbosa episode was a PRO SCAMMER how-to manual for illegal immigrants: “scamming is their only way to make money” ???? Absolutely absurd.
  • jraely
    dinner ep
    love this pod and honestly ur guys’ quips are the best… but fr the advice at the end of this ep is literally the only health adv anyone needs to hear. so many times you guys just say stuff that is like on my mind but you give it the words a+ love it all.
  • chandelierdawg
    Excellent Listen
    Love both of these writers from the good ol bird app days and their writing across the internet. Finally tuned in and immediately spent hours a day in the back catalog. Their banter is great, the writers on the show do a great job condensing the stories, and it’s just light enough (even when the crimes are horrible) that I can listen during my daily activities.
  • Loldepapas
    It’s good but
    Why are they so sexist?
  • Katkeen
    Such great podcasters
    Stories r good too but the podcasters r the draw. Can u pls do the Michael Cochran of west Va murder? 20/20 did a show but we have more questions and I know you’ll do the deep dive into the wife’s scamming business that we need
  • mbtcf
    Sarah Haggi
    You are a hypocrite. You say bigoted things on this podcast and X literally ALL THE TIME, yet because you view yourself as a victim, think those comments are warranted. Yet when the exact same comments are said about Islam, suddenly you’re Ms. PC. You are not a victim, you’re a hypocritical, entitled, bigot who has contempt for anyone who’s a not a Muslim POC. You ruined a good show.
  • Lauren_95
    My EVERYDAY podcast
    I am a longtime crime podcast fan and this one is by far my favorite! The hosts have incredible and hilarious chemistry as friends and make each story so engaging. I listen in the car, at the gym, everywhere!
  • Milkweed Spoon
    Wonderful Comaraderie
    I love listening to your podcasts not as much for the subject matter as for your humorous and clever banter —you two are delightful to listen to! I so appreciate your authentic wit!
  • Hdjdjdbsjejdjrjrjdbbfjdbdks
    Love love love
    I love this podcast and the ladies! I love how to quality of audio is good in the earlier episodes snd the way they present things keeps me entertained! Can’t wait to make it through all the episodes and listen to them all over again.
  • nbleezy
    Best thing on the internet
    I never leave reviews but these ladies are fantastic. Smart, funny and to the point. Great way to fall asleep or get thru a workout. I’m always riveted by their stories
  • Ray7$!
    Fairly Good
    Interesting podcast for sure just would like it if the hosts would leave out their own political viewpoints. Unnecessary and annoying.
  • nonickname thank you
    New fav podcast
    I am so glad I found this podcast! I’ve been binging episodes for weeks. I also never leave reviews, but I heard the gals talking about how some of their reviews are nasty, so I’m here to counteract that :) keep on keeping on, ladies.
  • Km10294
    New Fave
    No notes. 10/10
  • olivesmad
    Nope
    When you tear down other people you don’t disagree with I’m out. Couldn’t make it through the first one.
  • kwoggletown
    Love the show, hate the theme song
    I am hooked and hope they keep making this show. I hope they ditch the theme song jingle soon.
  • jess4967
    I gave it a second try- love it
    This podcast really didn’t grab me the first time around- now I’m wondering what I was thinking?! I love this podcast. Well researched, well told, and I do like the commentary between them. It’s not too much and it feels like you’re in a conversation with your friends. Def follow and listen. You’ll be taken on a great story journey.
  • PNWPodcastJunkie
    SO Refreshing
    Love this podcast! Professionally written and produced and the hosts rock! Smart, funny, bold and unapologetic in taking on all kinds of people and telling it like it is. SO nice to have women of color as hosts with chemistry, humor and style. Keep it going - I’m a huge fan!
  • Mama and her girls
    Do Better
    “All white ladies look the same”. Please do better. I love your episodes, until your racism comes out. It’s tired and you can do better.
  • 12¥yooo
    Good
    It is great but not than kid friendly Prep school is very distressing
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